- Air Koryo is North Korea's state-owned national airline and only commercial carrier
- The airline holds a one-star rating from Skytrax, known for poor onboard services
- It flies mainly to Beijing, Shenyang, Vladivostok, and occasional domestic routes
Ever wondered what flying with North Korea's national airline is really like? Meet Air Koryo – the flag carrier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the only commercial airline in the whole country. For years, it has been labelled the world's only one-star airline by flight-rating site Skytrax – a reputation that has made Air Koryo one of the most talked-about carriers on the planet.
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What Is Air Koryo?
Air Koryo is the national airline and only commercial carrier of North Korea. It is fully owned by the state and run under the country's civil aviation administration, which is itself linked to the North Korean military.
The airline traces its roots to the period after World War II, when it started as a joint Soviet–North Korean venture. In 1955, it became a fully North Korean operation and was officially founded in September that year under the name Korean Airways. Today, Air Koryo is headquartered in Pyongyang and operates from its main hub at Sunan International Airport in the capital.
Why Is It Called a One-Star Airline?
Air Koryo earned a one-star rating from Skytrax, a UK-based airline review organisation. Reportedly, it scored very low in areas like onboard products and services. For years, this made it the only airline in the world with a one-star rating on that system.
That label became a travel meme – and even though Skytrax later stopped rating it, the description stuck online.
Where Does Air Koryo Fly?
Air Koryo's scheduled network is very small compared to most national airlines. According to the airline's timetable and reports:
International Destinations
Air Koryo routinely flies to just a few overseas spots:
- Beijing, China
- Shenyang, China
- Vladivostok, Russia
These flights are usually a few times a week and depart from Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport.
Domestic Flights
The airline sometimes operates internal routes within North Korea, including to places like Samjiyon (Mt. Paektu) and Chongjin – but these are usually charter or seasonal, and information on them is not always publicly updated.
Air Koryo's Fleet – Planes That Tell a Story
Official flight timetables and independent guides show a mix of older and newer jets in the Air Koryo fleet. According to its official website, the airline uses these aircraft on international and domestic services:
International Fleet (more modern)
These are typically used for flights to and from China and Russia:
- Tupolev Tu-204-300 (8 business + 134 economy seats)
- Tupolev Tu-204-100 (12 business + 164 economy seats)
- Antonov An-148-100B ×2 (8 business + ~65 economy seats)
Domestic and Charter Fleet (older Soviet jets)
Air Koryo also uses older Soviet‑era aircraft such as the Il‑62, Tu‑154, Tu‑134, Il‑18 and An‑24 for domestic and special charter flights. These aircraft are mostly deployed on internal routes and aviation‑tour flights.
What Flying With Air Koryo Feels Like
Flying Air Koryo is not like hopping on a modern airline – it is retro and truly unique. Travellers, who have documented their flights online, show just how different the experience can be. Here are some of the most unusual things people talk about:
Retro luggage weighing scales
Passengers say luggage does not get weighed with digital machines like in big airports – instead, staff still use old-school manual scales at check-in. It feels like stepping back into aviation from decades ago.
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The infamous ‘mystery burger'
One of the most talked-about parts of the flight is the Air Koryo burger – a cold sandwich with a mystery meat patty, cheese and a tiny bit of cabbage. Travellers describe it as bizarre and memorable; some dread it, others find it amusing to try.
Strange entertainment choices
Once you are onboard, in-flight entertainment is not Hollywood movies. It often includes North Korean state media, patriotic performances – something most travellers have never seen on a plane before.
Loud engines & vintage planes
If you sit near the back of one of the older Soviet jets like the Ilyushin IL-62, take-off can be surprisingly loud. A review published in Flight-Report compared the engine noise to a very loud, muffled chainsaw – a far cry from quieter modern jets.
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Phone rules and weird bits
Some visitors, as quoted by International Business Times, report strict rules about when you can use your phone, old uniforms on staff, and occasional condensation fog inside cabins – giving the whole trip a strangely retro feel.
In a Nutshell: Is It Worth It?
If you are a regular traveller who just wants fast Wi-Fi, Hollywood movies and lounge access, Air Koryo may not be your ideal airline.
But for adventurous travellers who want a story to tell, flying Air Koryo is like stepping back into aviation history.
